SOG SEAL Knife for backwoods?

[dougo83]

Ok...for about $120, is the SOG SEAL worth the money? Has anyone here ever given one a go? Also, is this the best price that I can expect to find it?

Thanks

PeACE
Dougo

 

[coaldigger]

go to - eknifeworks.com
Get your self a Ontario RAT-7 for the same money & it's twice the knife !

 

[dougo83]

go to - eknifeworks.com
Get your self a Ontario RAT-7 for the same money & it's twice the knife !

Actually...the SOG is .25" longer and has a thicker spine than the RAT. Also, I can't bring myself to drop any real money on something I cannot touch, feel and handle before I pay.

 

[Fonly]

Ok...for about $120, is the SOG SEAL worth the money? Has anyone here ever given one a go? Also, is this the best price that I can expect to find it?

Thanks

PeACE
Dougo

I dont know, though if you do get one, let us know. I've often thought about this one as I jump between the 5" to 7" blade area, I stopped carring an axe as I find it too much to carry. My BK7, couple ka-bars, buck 119 and Grohmann #4 have been heavily used, and I have often thought about the Seal.

 

[k_estela]

I had one but I sold it. SOG makes a good knife but I could not get over the placement of the serrations on the blade. For a true woods knife, serrations don't belong in the sweet spot meant for fine carving just forward of the ricasso.

It is a good knife but it isn't my recommendation for a mid-sized field knife.

 

[Bill Siegle]

I think the SOG 2000 is a tough enough blade for outdoor use but I didn't like the one I owned enough to keep it. The edge was overly thick and I am not a big fan of the serrations. A grinder or a file can fixe the edge though if you apply a little time and effort. If the serrations don't bother you then go for it(if SOG came out with a plain edge I'd buy another). I would agree though that there are more than a few better suited knive available in the same price range or even less.

 

[mystical woodsman]

I had the SOG 2000, and it seemed the spine ate the logs I would use to baton it with (due to the thinned out knuckle hump). These knives are designed for stabbing, prying, etc but as far as bushcraft... nope. The zytel handle was TOUGH however. I would stick with finding something not as long (you were mainly referring to the SOG 2000 right?) for bushcraft, and with a full spine (not one that is tapered half way). Of course, if you want to baton, obviously get a longer blade like the Rat 7, although… even though I like (love) the primitive qualities of that model, I am seriously never going to give Ontario anymore of my money. I hope you do the same.

I don’t know if RAT Cutlery originally made that knife, but I see they don’t sell large blades like that (at least in my 10 minute search).


Good luck.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Ok...for about $120, is the SOG SEAL worth the money? Has anyone here ever given one a go? Also, is this the best price that I can expect to find it?

Thanks

PeACE
Dougo

Negative. For a start I've just seen the plain old VG-10 Fallkniven A1 for only $6 more, and you may be able to find it even cheaper elsewhere. True it's not a laminated one but at that price point it is probably one of the best knives in the class you are looking at. It is head and shoulders above the SOG SEAL. Put this on your shortlist

If you are determined to go the SOG SEAL route they are $82.95 from the outlet in my above link.

 

[dougo83]

I dont know, though if you do get one, let us know. I've often thought about this one as I jump between the 5" to 7" blade area, I stopped carring an axe as I find it too much to carry. My BK7, couple ka-bars, buck 119 and Grohmann #4 have been heavily used, and I have often thought about the Seal.

Yea...I was going to buy another Ka-Bar until the guy at Cabela's showed me the steel grading chart and I found them in the same arena as the made in red china blades. Benchmade had some of the highest, but I have yet to find a BM knife with comfortable grips. I am gonna try the SOG out and post a review I guess. Maybe I'll pick one up whilst Ron53 and I are at the gun show in a few weeks.

Speaking of the steel grade chart, does anyone have access to something like that? I have yet to find it online. It lists all the major makers and shows the comparison of their steel. IIRC it has Buck, Gerber, BM, SOG, Vic, Ka-Bar,Kershaw, Ontario and some others I'm sure. I just want to see how they line up.

 

[baldtaco-II]

They all use different steels although some tend to use some more that others. You'd do better looking up specific knives rather than a chart by maker. For example, the SEAL you want is in AUS-6, which is very close to 440A. Recently they relocated a lot of production. In theory it that should have allowed a bit of an improvement as they released a bunch in AUS-8 [somewhere around what a transition from 440A to B/C would be]. But they also use other stuff. Ka-Bar has been using the old 1095 for years but in more recent times released in D2. Those steels are very different. Gerber uses some pretty good stuff in their high end but at the lower end some truly awful. Ontario again uses 1095 a bunch, and that RAT-7 [fine suggestion coaldigger], is 1095 or in D2 for a few quid more. Buck is famous for using 425 but has used loads of other steels too. BM uses a whole raft of excellent steels in the main. Only yesterday I was looking at a Boker in 440ER, which is a new designation to me. As far as I can tell the ER is a fairly abstract concept meaning "could be 440A, 440B, or 440C", which I translate as "is almost certainly 440A but marketed to confuse" [I'm very open to correction on this]. I really adore some Bokers but that is a disappointment. And so on... What with many makers moving manufacture from the US and Japan to the cheaper Taiwan and China many new steel designations have appeared on their cheap lines.

 

[JohnnyO]

I think the SOG 2000 is a tough enough blade for outdoor use but I didn't like the one I owned enough to keep it. The edge was overly thick and I am not a big fan of the serrations. A grinder or a file can fixe the edge though if you apply a little time and effort. If the serrations don't bother you then go for it(if SOG came out with a plain edge I'd buy another). I would agree though that there are more than a few better suited knive available in the same price range or even less.

Felt the same way about a Seal Pup I had years ago. Thought if they ever made it without serrations I might try another. Bought a Seal Pup Elite (Plain Edge) and kinda like it. It's a nice light knife, with a good edge and a little heftier than the Seal Pup was.

 

[j williams]

Dude for the price there are lots of better blades IMO. Bark river, kosters, JKs, breedens, koyotes, falknivens, etc.......

I would much rather have one of these, preferably a custom and support the little guy.
Ive never liked a sog knife. I had the seal 2000 in the army, and I had no use for the serrations, and the steel didnt hold an edge well.

 

[hatchetjack]

You could do worse. I would not spend $120.00 on one. I picked up one in a trade and later sold it for 65 bucks. Given a choice limited to SOG's, I'd go with the smaller SEAL Pup. Much handier for backwoods chores. Could do w/o serrations. My 12 year old uses his SEAL Pup pretty hard and it takes what a 12 y/o can dish out.

I'd take a good look at RAT's, Fallkiven and one of my favorites, a Cold Steel SRK in Carbon V.

Buy a good used blade here on the Exchange Forum or trade for one. I always look here before buying new.

 

[VoxHog]

I had the SOG Seal, sold it. Too much in the combat camp and not designed as a hiker/camper imho. I want my hiker/camper to feel bulletproof.

In that price range ($125-$150) I would find a Scrap Yard Scrapper 6 on the exchange and call it a day. Add $100 if your budget allows and get a better chopper in the Swamp Rat Chopweiler or Camp Tramp. You will probably never need a different mid-sized as all three of these great knives come with a lifetime warranty.

Good luck on your search.

 

[dougo83]

You could do worse. I would not spend $120.00 on one. I picked up one in a trade and later sold it for 65 bucks. Given a choice limited to SOG's, I'd go with the smaller SEAL Pup. Much handier for backwoods chores. Could do w/o serrations. My 12 year old uses his SEAL Pup pretty hard and it takes what a 12 y/o can dish out.

I'd take a good look at RAT's, Fallkiven and one of my favorites, a Cold Steel SRK in Carbon V.

Buy a good used blade here on the Exchange Forum or trade for one. I always look here before buying new.

Thanks for the heads-up. Part of the appeal of the SOG has been that I have actually been able to touch the knife and have felt how sturdy it feels and all. BTW, I am definitely considering nonpserrated, I have a Kasper if I need serrations. I guess I will wait til the gun show and see if any of these dealers are there so I can get a feel for the blade. Last thing I want is a knife that I won't use, like BM Griptillian. I was gonna order one until I felt it in my hand at Cabela's. Horrible grip.

 

[bcornelis]

I have a SOG SEAL and will probably sell it. In addition to earlier comments about the serrations and steel quality, I would add that the handle is very uncomfortable in my opinion and extremely slippery when wet.
I would echo that Falkniven, Bark River and Cold Steel put out some better products in this length category. Also check the custom knife fixed blade thread on this forum occasionally for great knives that are often competively priced.

 

[sherlockbonez]

For the price, I would also recommend a cold steel in carbon. However, I have beat mine up for 2yrs now to no ill effect other than some chips from hitting stones etc. I used mine to dig up worms for fishing, to splitting wood for campfire (back when I still feel the need to baton anything and everything I could get my hands on...), cutting up game. It's nothing wrong with it, but there some other choices out there.

I still carry mine in my moonsoon gearslinger everyday.

 

[coaldigger]

Actually...the SOG is .25" longer and has a thicker spine than the RAT. Also, I can't bring myself to drop any real money on something I cannot touch, feel and handle before I pay.

I have a RAT7 & have handled a SOG SEAL, from my pov the RAT line is a much better quality knife ! The SOG SEAL feels more like one of those cheap RAMBO wanna be blades from the flea market ( THATS JUST ME ) But like they said try to handle as many as you can see what feels good to you
COLDSTEEL SRK & RECON SCOUT :thumbup:
Ontario RAT 7 or TAK :thumbup:
Ranger Knives RD6 ~ RD9 :thumbup:
RAT CUTLERY RC4 :thumbup:
You should be able to find any of these models for about the same $

 

[Fonly]

Last thing I want is a knife that I won't use, like BM Griptillian. I was gonna order one until I felt it in my hand at Cabela's. Horrible grip.

hmm, see Im on the other side, I love the grip of my 551. As some didnt like the BK7 handle, I love it. It fits my hand nice and feels right.

Like most have said, I think the money could be spent better else where.
RAT 7, heck check evilbay for a BK7 kicking around. for a knife in that size area I would go with a carbon steel, but again thats me.

 

[Fletcher Knives]

On July 17th, Brigade QM is supposed to be getting in their new shipment of Ranger RD's. Pick a size and buy with confidence. Those are some sturdy, heavy duty choppers.